Paris, France → Los Angeles, United States · ✈ 11h 51min · 🚗 147h 39min
4,906 nautical miles · Time difference: -8h behind · Direction: southwest
The distance from Paris to Los Angeles is 9,086 km (5,646 miles). The fastest way to travel is by flight. A direct flight takes approximately 11h 51min.
The straight-line distance from Paris, France to Los Angeles, United States is approximately 9,086 kilometers (5,646 miles or 4,906 nautical miles). This measurement uses the Haversine formula, computing the great-circle distance — the shortest path between two points on Earth's surface.
Los Angeles is located southwest of Paris. Paris is in Europe, in the Île-de-France region of France, while Los Angeles is in North America, in West Coast, United States. This intercontinental route spans from Europe to North America.
| Mode | Distance | Est. Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight | 9,086 km | ~11h 51min | Best option for speed |
Our recommendation: flight is typically the best way to travel from Paris to Los Angeles. For 9,086 km, flying saves significant time and is usually the most practical choice.
Paris sits at 48.8566°N, 2.3522°E, while Los Angeles is located at 34.0522°N, 118.2437°W. The initial compass bearing from Paris to Los Angeles is 314° (NW), so a great-circle flight path leaves Paris heading roughly NW. Because the Earth is curved, the actual heading shifts gradually along the route — pilots and navigation systems update it continuously instead of holding a single fixed compass bearing.
The latitude difference is 14.80° and the longitude difference is 120.60°. Each degree of latitude represents about 111 km, which is one reason cross-latitude routes feel longer even when the map looks similar to east–west journeys.
The geographic midpoint between Paris and Los Angeles is approximately 60.2224°N, 69.3202°W. This is the great-circle halfway position — the spot where you would be exactly 4,543 km from each city. On long-haul flights this point usually falls over open ocean or remote terrain, which is why in-flight maps often look "empty" mid-route.
Los Angeles is roughly 8 hours behind Paris. When it is 09:00 in Paris, it is approximately 01:00 in Los Angeles. A time difference of 8 hours typically produces noticeable jet lag — most travelers need about one recovery day per time zone crossed. Daylight saving time can shift the offset by an hour during certain months, so confirm the exact difference for your specific travel dates.
Paris uses the Euro (EUR), while Los Angeles uses the US Dollar (USD). Plan to exchange currency before departure or use a low-fee travel card on arrival — airport rates are typically the worst available. The primary local language shifts from French in Paris to English in Los Angeles. Learning a few basic phrases makes a noticeable difference at hotels, restaurants, and transit hubs.
Paris is a major city in France with a population of approximately 2,161,000. Located in the Île-de-France region, it is an important hub in Europe. Paris is a significant metropolitan area in France with good domestic and international transport connections.
→ See all distances from Paris
Los Angeles is a notable city in United States with a population of approximately 3,979,576. Situated in the West Coast region, it serves as a key destination in North America. Los Angeles offers solid transport connections and a variety of arrival options as a major city in United States.
→ See all distances from Los Angeles
At 9,086 km, this is one of the longer routes on the globe, spanning from Europe to North America. For comparison, London to Sydney is about 17,000 km — roughly half the circumference of the Earth.
At 9,086 km, Paris to Los Angeles is one of the world's longer routes, covering 22.7% of Earth's circumference (40,075 km).
This route crosses from Europe to North America, spanning 8 timezones.
This 9,086 km journey from Europe to North America is one of the world's longer routes. At this distance, jet lag becomes a significant factor — plan for at least one recovery day per 3 time zones crossed.
The straight-line distance from Paris to Los Angeles is approximately 9,086 kilometers (5,646 miles, 4,906 nautical miles).
A direct flight takes approximately 11h 51min, based on 800 km/h cruising speed plus 30 minutes for takeoff and landing.
Estimated driving time is approximately 147h 39min, based on 80 km/h average speed and roads being ~30% longer than straight-line distance.
Los Angeles is approximately -8h behind compared to Paris.
The estimated road distance is approximately 11,812 km, which is about 30% longer than the 9,086 km straight-line distance.
📍 Data: Coordinates from OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances calculated using the Haversine formula. Travel times are estimates only. Last verified: May 30, 2026.